FORAGE PLANTS 19 



NATURAL CLASSIFICATION 



14. In order to show the relative position of grasses 

 among forage plants, a classification is here given based 

 upon botanical relationships. Forage plants may be 

 divided into three groups. These are: grasses, legumes, 

 miscellaneous plants. The first group includes plants 

 belonging to the grass family (Par. 118). 



Fig. 8. Production of wild, salt or prairie grasses in the United States. One 

 dot represents 10,000 tons. 



15. Legumes. — The second group includes those 

 belonging to the natural family Leguminosse or Fabaceae. 

 The plants of this family are characterized by the fruit, 

 which is a legume or pod. To this family belong the 

 clovers-, alfalfa, vetches, beans, peas, and many similar 

 plants. The importance of legumes as forage plants 

 depends upon their high protein content, and hence their 

 greater nutritive value. Another important character 

 of leguminous plants is their ability to transfer nitrogen 



